30:17. Better is death than a bitter life, and everlasting rest, than continual sickness. 30:18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave. 30:19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell: 30:20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity: 30:21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing. 30:22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. 30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life. 30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee. 30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it. 30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time. 30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence. Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31 Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking. 31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep. 31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober. 31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods. 31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor. 31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it. 31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin. 31:7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it. 31:8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. 31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. 31:10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them: 31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms. 31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it. 31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it. 31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil. 31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see. 31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion. 31:17. Be not hasty in a feast. 31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.